Changing settings of a mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A device enabling a change of settings of applications is implemented in a mobile terminal. In order to facilitate a change of such settings, the device comprises a storage portion for storing a plurality of configurations. Each stored configuration is associated to at least one location and each stored configuration defines settings for applications implemented in the mobile terminal. The device further comprises a controlling portion for receiving information on a current position of the mobile terminal, for retrieving automatically a configuration associated to a location identified by the position information from the storage portion, and for changing settings of applications implemented in the mobile terminal according to the retrieved configuration. The device can be either a mobile terminal, or a module for a mobile terminal. The invention relates equally to a corresponding system and to a corresponding method.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a device and to a system enabling achange of settings of applications implemented in a mobile terminal. Theinvention relates equally to a software program product in which asoftware code for changing settings of applications implemented in amobile terminal is stored and to a method of changing settings ofapplications implemented in a mobile terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The functions provided by a mobile terminal, like a mobile phoneor a laptop, are based on applications implemented in the mobileterminal and on settings defined for each of the applications.

[0003] Usually, a part of these settings can be changed by a user. Somemobile terminals allow to change easily only a few settings, like voiceand volume settings. Most of today's mobile terminals allow one tochange a great variety of useful settings, though. In either case, eachof the settings has to be changed manually by a user of the mobileterminal.

[0004] There are many different locations or situations, in which mostusers of a mobile terminal prefer to change the settings of their mobileterminal temporally. Changed settings may be desired e.g. in a church,in a classroom, in a meeting room or in a cinema. Often, however, usersforget to change the settings as desired, or they forget later on tochange the settings back.

[0005] It is thus a disadvantage of known approaches that the useralways has to remember to change the settings as desired and that makinguse of all enabled, advantageous changes of settings is rather annoying.

[0006] For the voice settings of some applications, it is known toassociate a specific profile to a specific location. Nevertheless, theuser has to select the associated profile manually when coming to thelocation. Moreover, the settings and the corresponding locations aresaved to the respective application, i.e. an extra software is neededfor each application for saving the settings and the correspondinglocations to the respective application. This is of particulardisadvantage in case there are many applications for which the settingsare to be changed for a specific location.

[0007] In Windows®, there is a file called “win.ini”, in which settingsof applications of a device are saved. The settings are read from thisfile when Windows® is started. However, this approach relates to the PCenvironment and it does not take into account the current location ofthe device when reading the settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the invention to facilitate a change ofsettings in a mobile terminal.

[0009] A device is proposed which enables a change of settings ofapplications implemented in a mobile terminal. The proposed devicecomprises a storage portion for storing a plurality of configurations.Each stored configuration is associated to at least one location andeach stored configuration defines at least one setting for at least oneapplication implemented in a mobile terminal. The proposed devicefurther comprises a controlling portion for receiving information on acurrent position of a mobile terminal, for retrieving automatically aconfiguration associated to a location identified by the positioninformation from the storage portion, and for changing settings ofapplications implemented in the mobile terminal according to theretrieved configuration.

[0010] The proposed device can be in particular be a mobile terminal ofwhich settings are to be changed, or a controller module for the mobileterminal. Such a controller module can be implemented for instance bysoftware. The controller module can be integrated into the mobileterminal or be an external unit which is able to change the settings ofthe mobile terminal by transmitting corresponding configuration signalsto the mobile terminal.

[0011] Further, a system is proposed, which comprises a mobile terminalhaving the features of the proposed device, and in addition at least oneunit transmitting signals to the mobile terminal. These signals enablethe mobile terminal to provide information on the current position ofthe mobile terminal as position information to the controlling portion.The signals can either include an information on the current position ofthe mobile terminal or enable the mobile terminal to determine itscurrent position. The units transmitting signals to the mobile terminalcan be for instance GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, basestations of a mobile communication network, units of a WLAN (WirelessLocal Area Network) and/or Bluetooth® units.

[0012] Moreover, a software program product is proposed, in which asoftware code for changing settings of applications implemented in amobile terminal is stored. When running in a processing unit of a mobileterminal, the software code realizes the step of receiving informationon a current position of the mobile terminal, the step of retrieving astored configuration, which configuration is associated to a locationidentified by the received position information and which configurationdefines at least one setting for at least one application implemented inthe mobile terminal, and the step of changing settings of applicationsimplemented in the mobile terminal according to the retrievedconfiguration.

[0013] Finally, a method of changing settings of applicationsimplemented in a mobile terminal is proposed. The method comprises at acontrolling portion of the mobile terminal as a first step receivinginformation on a current position of the mobile terminal. As a secondstep, the proposed method comprises retrieving a stored configuration,which configuration is associated to a location identified by thereceived position information and which configuration defines at leastone setting for at least one application implemented in the mobileterminal. The proposed method comprises as a last step changing settingsof applications implemented in the mobile terminal according to theretrieved configuration.

[0014] The invention proceeds from the idea that the settings forvarious applications of a mobile terminal could be stored in common in arespective configuration. The invention further proceeds from the ideathat the settings could be changed automatically depending on therespective location of the mobile terminal, when stored configurationsare associated to different locations.

[0015] It is an advantage of the invention that the user of a mobileterminal has to define the settings for a specific location only once,not each time when reaching this location.

[0016] It is further an advantage of the invention that all settingsdefined in a stored configuration are changed automatically when alocation associated to this configuration is reached. The user can thusnot forget anymore to change settings as desired. Thereby, the mobileterminal can be used effectively and diversely.

[0017] It is further an advantage of the invention that there is no needto save settings and location information to different applications ofthe mobile terminal. Consequently, extra software needed for saving thelocations and the settings to the applications can be avoided.

[0018] Current applications of mobile terminals will support theinvention after slight changes. Future applications could work withoutany software changes or additions. The applications do not have tounderstand the position information. The new applications can simplyregister and use the service provided by the invention.

[0019] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the storage portionenables further a storage of definitions of an action, wherein eachstored definition of an action is associated to at least one location.The definition of an action can be associated separately to at least onelocation or together with an equally stored configuration. Thecontrolling portion retrieves automatically as well a definition of anaction from the storage portion, in case such a definition is associatedto a location identified by a received position information. Thecontrolling portion then causes an action corresponding to the retrieveddefinition.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the proposeddevice comprises in addition a user interface portion, which can be usedfor controlling the proposed change of settings in various ways. Forexample, a user interface portion may enable a user to add or amendinformation stored in the storage portion, e.g. configurations ordefinitions of actions. A user interface portion may also enable a userto switch off the automatic change of settings performed by thecontrolling portion. Further, a user interface portion may enable a userto assign different priorities to different locations, since differentlocations may be overlapping. A smaller location may even lie entirelywithin a larger location. In case a plurality of locations areidentified by a position information, the controlling portion can thenretrieve a configuration from the storage portion, which is associatedto the location to which the highest priority was assigned.

[0021] The storage portion advantageously comprises a first database forstoring the configurations and a second database for storing informationon different locations. By using two separate databases, the sameconfiguration may be used for several locations, if each entry in thesecond database refers to one of the entries in the first database. Thecontrolling portion may then actively determine whether a terminal isentering or leaving a location defined in the second database, and oneof the configurations stored in the first database is selectedautomatically by the controlling portion in case of a match found in thesecond database. In the first database, in addition definitions ofactions may be stored, either as separate entries or in a single entrytogether with a respective configuration.

[0022] The storage portion further comprises advantageously a defaultentry defining a specific behaviour. The default entry can be used bythe controlling portion for acting according to the defined behaviour,in case a received position information identifies a location for whichno entry is stored. The defined behaviour may comprise for instancechanging settings, but equally other actions like generatingnotifications or requesting an input from the user of the device.

[0023] In case the device according to the invention is a mobileterminal, it comprises advantageously in addition at least onepositioning component for determining a current position of the mobileterminal. In the positioning components, different positioning methodscan be implemented. Several positioning components can be connected viaa location framework to the controlling portion for providing therequired position information.

[0024] In case the mobile terminal comprises a communication componentfor exchanging data with a network, the terminal may further receivepredefined configurations and predefined location information from anetwork for storage in the storage portion. Such a network couldmoreover provide the mobile terminal with a rough position or areainformation, e.g. based on the Cell ID (identification) or onBluetooth™. This would allow use of the same controlling module as wellin mobile terminals in which a location framework or a positioningcomponents are not available. In the future, it might also be possiblethat a mobile terminal receives certain positioning information or apositioning information package using commercial services through an IP(Internet Protocol) network, SMS (Short Message Service), MMS(Multimedia Message Service) or e-mail from a network.

[0025] The invention can be employed for various mobile terminals, forvarious settings and/or actions and for various location dependentrequirements. A few practical examples will be presented in thefollowing. The mobile terminal can be for example a mobile phone, a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), a hand-held terminal or a laptop terminal.Even vehicles, like bicycles, private or rented cars, taxis, buses,boats, ships, airplanes etc., can be considered to constitute a kind ofa mobile terminal. Nowadays, quite many of these vehicles have also amethod for defining the location of the “terminal”. Changeable settingsare, among others, IP settings, WLAN settings for different networks,terminal profile settings, contact database settings, privacy andsecurity settings, IrDA (Infrared Device Adapter) and Bluetooth™settings.

[0026] The invention can thus be used for instance for changingautomatically the settings of a laptop and of its applications whenentering the office and when arriving at home. Also application settingsin the desktop of a terminal could be changed based on the location ofterminal. A different homepage may be used at home and in the office, adifferent email access may be enabled for work-email and home-email, anddifferent contacts may be provided by a contacts database at home and inthe office.

[0027] Moreover, when the user leaves home or any other predeterminedlocation, the terminal could remind the user that the doors should belocked or that they are not locked according to a defined action.Similarly, the terminal could remind a user leaving a predeterminedlocation that the lights should be switched off or are not switched off,etc. Instead of reminding a user of some action or in addition toreminding a user of some action, a service in the terminal could alsoperform itself such an action, like locking doors or switching offlights, automatically, when the user leaves a predetermined location. Tothis end, the terminal has to communicate with a locking/controllingsystem and/or a security system which has been installed for thelocation, e.g. for a house or a vehicle.

[0028] Privacy and security settings may indicate for example to whomposition information relating to some location is provided, or they mayinclude a fly mode in which the terminal is switched off. Moreover, manyhospitals have areas where mobile phones should be switched off, whichcan be taken care of automatically by the invention. It is also aprivacy issue whether a user wants to use the pin-code of a SIM-card ornot depending on the current location of the terminal.

[0029] A change of Bluetooth™ settings may activate a Bluetooth™positioning in those places in which it is possible. DifferentBluetooth™ settings could also be desired for different meeting rooms.Further, the Bluetooth™ settings could allow sending advertisements byBluetooth™ to the user if the user is located in a shop.

[0030] The change of settings and the caused actions may also relate tosome future services. For example, in parking places, free parking boxedor extra prices may be indicated, etc. Further, the invention may beused in a system which allows to rent a vehicle through a mobileterminal and to reserve the closest free car, city-car or van. The ownerof such a system could also be a community or a city.

[0031] Moreover, in some sports, activities or games, people try tonavigate based on instructions which are collected from points that aremarked in a pre-defined manner. With a future service, these pointscould be marked as coordinates and following actions and/or instructionscan be delivered directly to the mobile terminal of players when theyarrive at a location to which a definition of such a delivery isassociated. When the delivery of actions and/or instructions is definedas action in the storage portion, a physical marking of the location isnot required any more.

[0032] Other objects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes ofillustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, forwhich reference should be made to the appended claims. It should befurther understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and thatthey are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures andprocedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a embodiment of a systemaccording to the invention;

[0034]FIG. 2 is a table illustrating the structure of databases used ina mobile terminal of the system of FIG. 1; and

[0035]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method which is implementedin the mobile terminal of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036]FIG. 1 schematically presents a system according to the inventioncomprising a mobile terminal 1, a mobile communication network 2 and aplurality of GPS satellites 3. In the mobile terminal 1, variousapplications 4 are implemented, and the system enables an automaticchange of settings of these applications 4 in dependence on therespective location of the mobile terminal 1.

[0037] The terminal settings may include by way of example terminalprofiles, the selection of a contact database, the settings of a desktopview, Internet settings, IrDA/Bluetooth™ settings and Privacy/Securitysettings.

[0038] The mobile terminal 1 comprises a communication component 5 forcommunicating with the mobile communication network 2 and a plurality ofpositioning components 6. In each positioning component 6, a differentpositioning method is implemented. The implemented positioning methodsmay comprise for instance terminal based positioning methods like a GPSbased positioning method, network based positioning methods like anE-OTD (Enhanced Observed Time Difference), a Cell-ID or a Bluetooth™based positioning method, and/or network assisted positioning methodslike an A-GPS (Assisted GPS) based positioning method. In the presentedembodiment, at least a GPS based positioning method and at least onenetwork based or network assisted positioning method is implemented in arespective one of the positioning components 6. For the at least onenetwork based and/or network assisted positioning method, thecommunication component 5 is connected to at least one of thepositioning components 6. The mobile terminal 1 further comprises alocation framework 7, which can be used for connecting to the differentposition methods.

[0039] In addition, the mobile terminal 1 comprises a location dependentmobile terminal controller LDMTC 8, which is realized as a softwaremodule and which comprises all functions required specifically for theinvention. The LDMTC 8 includes an LDMTC engine 9, which has access tothe terminal settings and which is connected to the communicationcomponent 5 and to the location framework 7. The LDMTC 8 moreoverincludes an LDMTC user interface (LDMTC UI) 10 for controlling the LDMTC8, an LDMTC area database DB 11 for storing area information and anLDMTC settings database DB 12 for storing information for terminalsettings and actions defined in saved configurations. The LDMTC userinterface 10, the LDMTC area database 11 and the LDMTC settings database12 are connected to the LDMTC engine 9. The LDMTC 8 controls allterminal settings that a user has defined in the LDMTC settings database12.

[0040] The structure of the LDMTC area database 11 and the structure ofthe LDMTC settings database 12 are shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] The structure of the LDMTC area database 11 is presented on theleft hand side of FIG. 2. Each entry in this database comprises aposition defined by its degrees of longitude and latitude, the area sizeof a location at this position, a name for the location, the date atwhich the entry was generated or updated, and a reference to an entry inthe LDMTC settings database.

[0042] The structure of the LDMTC settings database is presented on theright hand side of FIG. 2. Each entry in this database comprises aconfiguration defining a plurality of settings. In addition, each entrymay comprise the definition of an action and other details.

[0043] Among the presented exemplary entries for the LDMTC area database11, a first entry is an entry for “position 1”, generated on Jan. 22,2003. The location is named “center” and has an area size of 700 m. Theentry comprises a reference “ref1” to the first entry in the LDMTCsettings database 12. A second entry in the LDMTC area database 11 is anentry for “position 2”, generated on Dec. 14, 2002. The location isnamed “home” and has an area size of 100 m. The entry comprises equallya reference “ref1” to the first entry in the LDMTC settings database 12.A third entry in the LDMTC area database 11 is an entry for “position 3”generated on Jan. 8, 2003. The location is named “office” and has anarea size of 250 m. The entry comprises a reference “ref3” to the thirdentry in the LDMTC settings database 12. A fourth entry in the LDMTCarea database 11 is an entry for “position 4” generated on Jan. 10,2003. The location is named “cinema” and has an area size of 50 m. Theentry comprises a reference “ref2” to the second entry in the LDMTCsettings database 12. A fifth entry in the LDMTC area database 11 is anentry for any “other” position, generated on Jan. 28, 2003.Correspondingly, the location is named “default”, and an area size isnot defined. The entry comprises a reference “ref4” to the fourth entryin the LDMTC settings database 12.

[0044] Among the presented exemplary entries for the LDMTC settingsdatabase 12, a first entry comprises a “profile 1” as a configuration.Further, an action is defined in this first entry. It is defined morespecifically that an SMS is to be sent when the mobile terminal entersan area for which an entry in the LDMTC area database 11 refers to thefirst entry of the LDMTC settings database 12. In the second entry inthe LDMTC settings database 12, a “configuration 1” is defined as aconfiguration. Also in the second entry, an action is defined. In thiscase, an email is to be sent when the terminal 1 leaves an area forwhich an entry in the LDMTC area database 11 refers to the second entryof the LDMTC settings database 12. In the third entry in the LDMTCsettings database 12, a “profile 2” is defined as a configuration. Alsoin the third entry, an action is defined. In this case, an SMS alarm isto be sent when this third entry is selected. In the fourth entry in theLDMTC settings database 12, a “profile 3” is defined as a configuration.In the fourth entry, no action is defined.

[0045] Before a user of the mobile terminal 1 can benefit from the LDMTC8, he/she has to define some configurations in the databases 11, 12.

[0046] When a user reaches for the first time a location for whichhe/she desires specific settings, he/she opens an application for anLDMTC configuration via the LDMTC UI 10. The location can be for exampleschool, a classroom, a meeting room, home, the workplace, a cinema, aprivate car etc. The application for the LDMTC configuration is runningin the LDMTC engine 9.

[0047] The LDMTC engine 9 requests the current position from thelocation framework 7. The location framework 7 receives the currentposition from a currently active positioning component 6. In thesituation depicted in FIG. 1, a positioning is performed in one of thepositioning components 6 based on satellite signals received from theGPS satellites 3 and/or based on positioning information received fromthe network 2 through the communication component 5. The resultingposition information is forwarded via the location framework 7 and/orthe communication component 5 to the LDMTC engine 9.

[0048] The LDMTC engine 9 moreover asks the user to set an LDMTCconfiguration for the received position information.

[0049] The user selects the terminal profile, the contact database, thedesktop view, the IP settings, the privacy and security settings forlocation technologies and terminal usage, the preferred locationtechnology settings, the frequency of the positioning informationupdate, the terminal security settings, etc., which are always to beused at the current location. This selection is entered by the LDMTCengine 9 as a new configuration entry to the LDMTC settings database 12.Further, the user may define an action for the current location, likesending an SMS when entering or leaving the location or generating analarm or a notification. The defined action could also be a userverification, i.e. a user is requested to accept or reject a presentedoption. An acceptance may then generate a new action, e.g. through acommercial service which the user has pre-defined.

[0050] In case the desired configuration, part of the desiredconfiguration or a desired action has already been defined before foranother location, the user may also use a copying function forassembling all desired information for the entry. In case exactly thesame entry is to be used as for another location for which aconfiguration was defined previously, this entry is simply selected bythe user.

[0051] In addition, the user is requested to input a name for thecurrent location and the size of the location. Name and size are enteredby the LDMTC engine 9 to the LDMTC area database 11 together with thedetermined position information and the date of entry. The LDMTC engine9 equally associates a reference to the newly generated entry or theselected old entry of the LDMTC settings database 12.

[0052] Similarly, existing entries of the two databases 11, 12 can beamended by a user via the LDMTC user interface 10.

[0053] Alternatively, the LDMTC engine 9 could download via thecommunication component 5 predefined positioning and/or settingspackages from the mobile communication network 2, e.g. using commercialnetwork services. Such packages may be provided for instance by e-mail,SMS, MMS or setup files and comprise all location information for acurrent location and/or a configuration commonly desired at the currentlocation.

[0054] Next time the user arrives at the newly entered location, allterminal settings will automatically follow the LDMTC configuration thathas been defined for this location, as will be explained in thefollowing with reference to FIG. 3.

[0055] The LDMTC engine 9 in a step 30 offers to the user by means ofthe LDMTC user interface 10 the possibility “Manual/Auto” to choose anautomatic or a manual selection of settings defined in the LDMTCsettings database 12.

[0056] In case the user chooses a manual selection, the LDMTC engine 9waits in a loop until the user chooses an automatic selection again.

[0057] In case the user chooses an automatic selection, the LDMTC engine9 continuously requests a position information from the locationframework 7 as shown in a step 32. The location framework 7 providesthereupon the requested position information to the LDMTC engine 9, incase it receives the information from one of the positioning components6.

[0058] In case the location framework 7 is currently not able to providean information on the position of the mobile terminal 1, the LDMTCengine 9 returns to the beginning of the procedure, checking again inthe step 30 whether a manual or an automatic setting was chosen.

[0059] In this loop, some kind of a timeout parameter could be provided.If the location framework 7 is not able to provide any positioninformation within a period of time defined by the timeout parameter,the location framework 7 could generate for example a verification forthe user, requesting what to do next. The user may choose thereupon toselect a preferred configuration manually. The selected configuration isthen used until the location framework 7 has position informationavailable again.

[0060] Preferably, the user is able to select for each configurationstored in the LDMTC settings database 12 a maximum time which isaccepted without positioning information when this configuration is inuse. If the user goes to the cinema, for example, it is very probablethat positioning information cannot be obtained until the user leavesthe cinema again. Advantageously, there is also an entry in the LDMTCArea database 11 for the case that no position is available after atimeout. In this entry, the user can then define a reference to aspecific default configuration in the LDMTC settings database 12 thatshould be used after a timeout.

[0061] In case the location framework 7 is able to provide informationon the current position of the mobile terminal 1, as determined in astep 34, the LDMTC engine 9 searches in a step 36 the received positionin the LDMTC area database 11. It checks more specifically, whether thecurrent position corresponds to one of the stored positions with amaximum deviation defined by the respectively associated area size. Incase the LDMTC engine 9 does not find any matching entry in the LDMTCarea database 11, the LDMTC engine 9 returns to the beginning of theprocedure as shown in a step 38.

[0062] In case the LDMTC engine 9 finds a matching entry in the LDMTCarea database 11, the LDMTC engine 9 reads the entry in the LDMTCsettings database 12 to which the reference in the matching entry in theLDMTC area database 11 refers as shown in a step 40. The currentposition may for example correspond with a deviation of less than 50 mto “position 4” stored in the LDMTC area database 11 for some “cinema”.The associated reference is “ref2”, which refers to the second entry ofthe LDMTC settings database 12. The LDMTC engine 9 therefore retrievesfrom the LDMTC settings database 12 the configuration defined in thesecond entry, “configuration 2”, and in addition the action defined inthis entry, “send email when leaving area”.

[0063] The LDMTC engine 9 now changes the settings of the applications 4implemented in the mobile terminal 1 as defined in the retrievedconfiguration information. It has to be noted that the depictedapplications 4 may comprise not only an original default set ofapplications, but in addition extra applications which have beenregistered to the LDMTC 8 later on.

[0064] Further, the LDMTC engine 9 executes any action defined to beexecuted when the area of the current position is entered as shown in astep 42. In addition, the LDMTC engine 9 buffers any action defined tobe executed when the area of the current position is left. Then, theLDMTC engine 9 returns to the beginning of the procedure.

[0065] The buffered actions are executed by the LDMTC engine 9 when anew available position information results in no match or in anothermatch than for the current position in the LDMTC area database 11. Forexample, the current position could be home. The LDMTC 8 could beconfigured to check each time when the user leaves the home area whetherall doors are locked, all lights are turned off, etc. If the LDMTC 8finds any contradiction against this configuration, it notifies the useror requests a verification from the user. In some embodiment, the LDMTC8 could even be designed to lock unlocked doors automatically, when thehome area is left.

[0066] In case the user chooses a manual selection of settings definedin the LDMTC settings database 12, the position dependent automaticfunctions described with reference to FIG. 3 are not activated, asmentioned above. Instead, the LDMTC user interface 10 offers the userthe possibility to select a particular configuration from the LDMTCsettings database 12. This is of advantage, in case a user wants todeviate from the configuration defined for a current location. Further,it allows use of the same LDMTC module 8 in a terminal which does nothave any position technologies. The user can then select him/herself astored position dependent or independent configuration. Even in thelatter case, benefits are achieved with the LDMTC module 8, since allterminal settings desired for a specific position, area or situation canbe selected by a single action.

[0067] For a manual selection, the LDMTC module 8 may offer thepossibility to select directly a configuration stored in the LDMTCsettings database 12, or indirectly by selecting an entry in the LDMTCarea database 11, which can be identified more easily by the nameassociated to a specific position.

[0068] While there have shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodimentthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the form and details of the devices and methods describedmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that allcombinations of those elements and/or method steps which performsubstantially the same function in substantially the same way to achievethe same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, itshould be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method stepsshown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form orembodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosedor described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter ofdesign choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only asindicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device enabling a change of settings ofapplications implemented in a mobile terminal, said device comprising: astorage portion for storing a plurality of configurations, wherein eachstored configuration is associated to at least one location and whereineach stored configuration defines at least one setting for at least oneapplication implemented in a mobile terminal; and a controlling portionfor receiving information on a current position of a mobile terminal,for retrieving automatically a configuration associated to a locationidentified by said position information from said storage portion, andfor changing settings of applications implemented in said mobileterminal according to said retrieved configuration.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said storage portion enables further astorage of definitions of an action, wherein each stored definition ofan action is associated to at least one location, and wherein saidcontrolling portion further retrieves automatically a definition of anaction associated to a location identified by a received positioninformation from said storage portion and causes an action correspondingto said retrieved definition.
 3. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a user interface portion enabling a user to define a newconfiguration for a new location, which new configuration is stored bysaid controlling portion in said storage portion and associated to saidnew location.
 4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising auser interface portion enabling a user to amend a configuration storedin said storage portion via said controlling portion.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a user interface portionenabling a user to switch off said automatic change of settingsperformed by said controlling portion.
 6. A device according to claim 5,wherein said user interface portion is for enabling a user to manuallyselect a configuration stored in said storage portion, said controllingportion changing settings of applications implemented in a mobileterminal according to said selected configuration.
 7. A device accordingto claim 2, further comprising a user interface portion enabling a userto define an action for a specific location, which definition is storedby said controlling portion in said storage portion and associated tosaid specific location.
 8. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a user interface portion enabling a user to define a name fora specific location, which name is stored by said controlling portion insaid storage portion for said specific location.
 9. A device accordingto claim 1, further comprising a user interface portion enabling a userto define a size of a specific location, which size is stored by saidcontrolling portion in said storage portion together with a positioninformation for said specific location, and wherein said controllingportion assumes a specific location to be identified by a receivedposition information, when the position information defines a positionwhich lies within an area defined by a stored position information andan associated size.
 10. A device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a user interface portion enabling a user to assign differentpriorities to different locations, wherein in case a plurality oflocations are identified by said position information, said controllingportion retrieves a configuration associated to that location identifiedby said position information from said storage portion, to whichlocation a highest priority was assigned among all locations identifiedby said position information.
 11. A device according to claim 1, whereinsaid storage portion comprises a first database for storing saidconfigurations and a second database for storing information ondifferent locations, wherein each entry for a specific location in saidsecond database comprises a reference to an entry in said firstdatabase, and wherein an entry in said second database can be selectedby said controlling portion based on received position information. 12.A device according to claim 11, wherein said first database enables inaddition a storage of definitions of an action.
 13. A device accordingto claim 1, wherein said storage portion comprises a default entrydefining a specific behaviour, which default entry is used by saidcontrolling portion for acting according to said defined behaviour, incase a received position information does not identify a location towhich an entry stored in said storage portion is associated.
 14. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein said device is a controller modulefor a mobile terminal.
 15. A device according to claim 1, wherein saiddevice is said mobile terminal.
 16. A device according to claim 15,further comprising at least one positioning component, in which apositioning method for determining a current position of said mobileterminal is implemented, and a location framework for receiving positioninformation from said at least one positioning component and forproviding received position information to said controlling portion. 17.A device according to claim 15, further comprising a communicationcomponent for receiving from a network predefined configurations forstorage in said storage means.
 18. A device according to claim 15,further comprising a communication component for receiving from anetwork predefined location information for storage in said storagemeans.
 19. A device according to claim 15, further comprising acommunication component for receiving from a network a positioninformation and for forwarding said position information to saidcontrolling portion to enable said controlling portion to automaticallyretrieve an entry associated to a location identified by said positioninformation from said storage portion.
 20. A system comprising a mobileterminal with: a storage portion for storing a plurality ofconfigurations, wherein each stored configuration is associated to atleast one location and wherein each stored configuration defines atleast one setting for at least one application implemented in saidmobile terminal; and a controlling portion for receiving information ona current position of said mobile terminal, for retrieving automaticallya configuration associated to a location identified by said positioninformation from said storage portion, and for changing settings ofapplications implemented in said mobile terminal according to saidretrieved configuration; said system further comprising at least oneunit transmitting signals to said mobile terminal, which signals enablesaid mobile terminal to provide information on a current position ofsaid mobile terminal as position information to said controllingportion.
 21. A software program product in which a software code forchanging settings of applications implemented in a mobile terminal isstored, said software code realizing the following steps when running ina processing unit of a mobile terminal: receiving information on acurrent position of said mobile terminal; retrieving a storedconfiguration, which configuration is associated to a locationidentified by said received position information and which configurationdefines at least one setting for at least one application implemented insaid mobile terminal; and changing settings of applications implementedin said mobile terminal according to said retrieved configuration.
 22. Amethod of changing settings of applications implemented in a mobileterminal, said method comprising at a controlling portion of said mobileterminal: receiving information on a current position of said mobileterminal; retrieving a stored configuration, which configuration isassociated to a location identified by said received positioninformation and which configuration defines at least one setting for atleast one application implemented in said mobile terminal; and changingsettings of applications implemented in said mobile terminal accordingto said retrieved configuration.